WVAS Local News

Alabama's unemployment rat has dipped to 6.9 percent. Governor Robert Bentley said the preliminary April rate is below the 7.2 percent recorded in March and the 7.4 percent measured a year ago. Bentley said the state saw two positive signs in April. The number of people employed increased and the number of people in the labor force increased.

Amendment Reaction

Members of the Alabama Senate Democratic Caucus have renewed their call for Gov. Robert Bentley to repeal the Alabama Accountability Act. Senator Billy Beasley of Clayton was among those at a press conference Friday who said an executive amendment proposed by the governor to delay the tax credit component by two years is too little, too late. The governor said he was offering an executive amendment to maintain the flexibility portion of the Accountability Act, but to delay the implementation of tax credits that would allow children in failing schools to transfer to non-failing schools.

Campaign Laws

A key House Republican says lawmakers have more work to do before settling on final changes to Alabama campaign finance laws. But Representative Mike Ball of Madison says he doesn't want to give in on House GOP proposals concerning political contributions by corporations and utilities, including the influential Alabama Power Co. Ball is sponsor of the House version of the finance law changes. The Senate will have to decide whether to accept that version or force a compromise committee to settle discrepancies. Monday is the session's final day.